Abdominal muscle toning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A self-operated device for strengthening one&#39;&#39;s abdominal muscles by means of the impact from a padded cushion, simulated medicine ball or the like and/or the muscular pull in avoiding such impact, on or about the lower torso. The device comprises a pivotally mounted conversely bent rod having an upper cushion which when pushed away from the user will automatically force a lower cushion toward that portion of one&#39;&#39;s body to be toned thereby. The rod is pivotally mounted on a vertically adjustable rigid support which is removably secured to a member permanently attached to a wall or the like.

United States Patent 1 LaTorraca 1 July 10,1973

[ 1 ABDOMINAL MUSCLE TONING APPARATUS [76] inventor: Gerald A. LaTorraca, 1085 Wake Forest Drive,Toms River, NJ. 08735 22 Filed: Apr. 19, 1971 211 App]. No: 135,038

[52] U.S. Cl. 128/54 51 lnt.Cl ..A6lh 23/00 [58] Field of Search 128/24, 54, 55, 69; 272 7s-7s [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 7 3,424,149 1/1969 Fujimoto 128/55 3,401,686 9/1968 Edwards 128/54 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIQNS 705,216 4/1941 Germany 272/78 Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. 'lrapp Anumey-Lucke & Luckc 57 1 ABSTRACT A self-operated device for strengthening one s abdominal muscles by means of the impact from a padded cushion, simulated medicine ball or the like and/or the muscular pull in avoiding such impact, on or about the lower torso. The device comprises a pivotally mounted conversely bent rod having an upper cushion which when pushed away from the user will automatically force a lower cushion toward that portion of one s body to be toned thereby. The rod is pivotally mounted on a vertically adjustable rigid support which is removably secured to a member permanently attached to a wallor the like.

11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIED JUL 1 0 I NVEN TOR. Gem/(M L0 Tor/0 c0 1 ABDOMINAL MUSCLE TONING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention I This invention relates to individually operable exercise apparatus and in particular to apparatus for toning abdominal muscles by means of physical impact.

- 2. State of the Prior Art Patents have been granted to sparring apparatus and a boxing dummy or automaton constructed to simulate a male figure with complex shafts, levers and springs in which the arms of the figure are designed to return a blow when sparred with. Another exercising apparatus has three horizontally positioned striking members any one of which may be released by spring action depending upon the manner in which a superimposed cushion is struck. All of these devices are designed to train young boxers and strike the upper part of the torso around the chest and shoulders, etc.

A weighty, cumbersome striking bag depending from a harness worn around the neck is also known. This bag can be activated by thehands, elbows or knees of the user so that it rebounds by striking the lower torso or abdomen. The neck ring is attached to shoulder supports and body encircling members which confine the movements of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION slotted in front to receive a rearwardly protruding element mounted on the support. The lower portion of the channel member is provided with a row of mutually spaced holes in front through which screws may enter and be screwed through the rear of the channel memher to secure it to a wall, etc.

A-smaller cushion or the like is mounted on the upper portion of the metal bar. The cushion is normally positioned away from the support so that when it is pushed backwards or away from the user it forces a larger padded cushion or medicine ball mounted on the lower portion of the bar, forward to strike ones anatomy in the region of the abdomen.

Both cushions are mounted on a back plate by cementing or screwing and the upper back plate may be welded to the metal rod. An adjustable grip is welded to the rear of the lower plate. The grip has a drilled hole through its handle portion and a series of separators jutting toward the handle from the opposite side of the grip. The lower end of the rod is provided with a pin protruding from one side thereof and a slot disposed rearwardly of the pin. When mounting the lower cushion on the rod the pin is selectively positioned between two of the separators or spacers and a bolt, protruding through the slot and the drilled hole, is fastened in the desired position by a wing nut to obtain the proper tilt or slant of the medicine ball cushion when it strikes the body.

' The vertical height of the medicine ball is regulated by the relative position of the support to the channel member. This is effected by inserting a pair of prongs, hinged to the lower end of the support, into any corresponding pair of aligned holes or apertures on the channel member adapted to receive them, thus releasably locking the support to the channel member at any given position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be more particularly describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the abdominal exercising apparatus shown in inactive position in solid lines and in active position in dotted lines;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the lower cushion or punching member attached-to a flat back plate and a preferred means of attaching the plate at selective angles to the curved pivotal rod, two of which are shown in solid and dotted lines;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the means of connecting the curved rod to a curved back plate carrying a simulated medicine ball or part thereof; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded top plan view of the slotted channel member and the arrowhead shaped element insertable within the channel and vertically slidable in the slot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an abdominal exercising apparatus generally designated 10 remotely attached to a T-shaped support 11 which is slidably mounted on a channel member 12 fastened to a wall stud 13 or the like.

The apparatus consists of a comparatively large padded or inflated cushion 14 shown in FIGS. 1-3 or a simulated portion of a medicine ball 14a. This lower cushion is mounted on a back plate 15, 1511 as by screws or contact cement.

An adjustable grip 16 may be fastened to the rear surface of a lower plate as best shown in FIG. 3. The grip may have one or more separators or spacing lugs 17 protruding rearwardly from its front flat face 18 toward a handle portion 19. A pin 20 projecting from one side of a toe portion 21 of the metal lever or rod 22 engages a selected pair of the positioning lugs.l7 to obtain the desired slant of the cushion relative to the rod. Then a bolt 23 passing through a slot 24 in the toe portion 21 and a drilled hole in handle 19 secures the lower cushion in the selected position by means of a wing nut 25.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the lever is conversely bent into a longer convex leg portion 26 and a shorter concave foot portion 27, which are joined by a heel portion 28. The rear surface of heel 28 normally rests against a rubber pad 29 cemented or otherwise affixed to the lower part of support 11. Pad 29 softens the return of heel 28 whenever the apparatus is activated. A retainer spring 30 is mounted between an eyelet 31in the lever adjacent the heel and an eye screw 32 on the support for rapid return of the heel without bounce, thus facilitating accelerated use of the apparatus.

The lever 22 is pivotally attached to support 11 by means ofa pair of L-shaped braces 33, one leg of which is fixed to the support crossbar 34 at the top of its stem lla by means of screws 35. A bolt 36 passes through aligned holes in the extending brace legs and in the lever at its apex. The lever is thus locked in position for free swinging motion between the braces by a wing nut 37.

A smaller cushion 38 is mounted at the upper end of the convex leg portion 26 of the lever. This cushion, like larger cushion 14, 14a may be stuffed with cotton, foam rubber or other soft material and be covered by canvas, vinyl, rubber, leather, etc. The cover of cushion 38 may be stapled, tacked or glued to the front or rear surface of a back plate 39 if made of wood. If the plate 39 is made of metal, the cushion can be cemented to its front surface while the rear surface may be welded to rod 22. The cushions may also be inflatable.

The slidable support 11 is supported at the top with an arrowhead shaped element 40, see' FIG. 5, which projects from the rear surface of crosspiece 34 for insertion within a longitudinal slot 41 in the upper part of channel member 12. After insertion element 40 rides within channel 42 of member 12 for securing the apparatus at selective vertical positions relative to the height of various users of the apparatus.

A locking device 43 having at least two rearwardly projecting prongs 44 is attached to the lower end of support stem 11a as by a hinge 45. To locate the apparatus at a selected vertical height from the floor, device 43 is pressed against member 12 until prongs 44 are inserted and locked into aligned apertures 46 centrally disposed on the lower portion of member 12 below slot 41.

In operation, channel member 12 is first installed on a wall or other permanent backing by any conventional means such as by screws 47 passing through a row of holes drilled along the central rear surface thereof and aligned with larger holes 46 and/or slot 41. The removable support 11 is then slidably mounted on member 12 by insertion of element 40 within slot 41 so that it its retained within channel 42. After mounting lever 22 for pivotal movement from braces 33 and determining the proper height of cushion 14 or ball 14a relative to the users body B, prongs 44 of device 43 are locked into holes 46 along the lower portion of member 12.

With the apparatus set at the proper height, a person wishing to tone his abdominal muscles then selects the proper angle at which he wants cushion 14, 14a to strike by placing pin between the proper set of spacing lugs 17 and securing bolt 23 within its slot 24 through handle 19 by tightening wing nut 25. The user of the apparatus then pushes upper cushion 38 with enough force to get the desired counter blow from lower cushion 14, 14a which is transmitted automatically by lever 22 freely swinging from braces 33.

After each impact heel 28 returns quickly without bounce to pad 29 by means of spring 30 ready for the next push on cushion 38. Individuals are thus able to participate in vigorous physical exercise whenever the opportunity affords and keep their figures fit without being dependent upon other persons or designated times and places.

Alternatively, further beneficial results can be obtained by the muscular pull of the user when, with feet firmly planted in proper position, he ducts or bends his torso in an effort to avoid contact with cushion 14, 14a.

The forms of the invention here described and illustrated are presented merely as examples of how the invention may be embodied and applied. Other forms, embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. An abdominal, muscle toning apparatus compris-' ing a punching member, a pushing member, a conversely bent lever, said punching member being carried by the lower end of said lever and said pushing member being carried by the upper end of said lever, a rigid support and means for pivotally mounting said lever to said support, whereby pressure applied against said pushing member away from the user of said apparatus automatically forces said punching member toward said user to strike on or about his abdominal region, said lever comprising an L-shaped rod having a longer convex leg portion, a shorter concave foot portion and a heel portion joining said leg and foot portions.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, having a toe portion terminating said foot portion, and adjustable means for securing said punching member at a selected angle to said toe portion.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said punching member comprises a larger back plate, a larger cushioned element mounted on the front surface of said back plate, and a grip member secured to the rear surface of said back plate, a part of said adjustable means being carried by said grip member.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said adjustable means comprises a vertical line of lugs extending rearwardly from the front portion of said grip member, a handle extending from the top to the bottom of said grip member, a drilled hole disposed in the center of said handle, an arcuate slot disposed across said toe portion, a pin extending from one side of said toe portion, said pin being selectively engaged between a pair of said lugs, a bolt inserted through said slot and said hole and a nut cooperating with said bolt to secure said punching member at said selected angle.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, having a channel member, means for securing said channel member to a permanent fixture, and slidable means for mounting said support at selected heights on said channel member.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the front surface of said channel member is provided with a longitudinal slot along the upper portion thereof and a row of mutually spaced holes along the lower portion thereof.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support comprises a T-shaped member having a stern and a cross bar attached to the top of said stern, a pair of L-shaped braces secured to said cross bar, aligned holes disposed through the free ends of said braces, a drilled hole disposed at the apex of said leg portion, pivotal means mounting said lever to said braces, an element extending rearwardly from said cross bar and locking means disposed at the bottom of said stem.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said support is provided with a rearwardly protruding element at the top thereof and a locking member having at least one prong thereon hingedly attached to the bottom thereof, said element adapted to enter said longitudinal slot and ride within said channel, and said prong adapted to enter into at least one of said row of holes to anchor said support at a selected height relative to said channel member.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said pushing member comprises a smaller cushioned element mounted on the front surface of a smaller back plate, the rear surface of said smaller back plate being rigidly mounted to the top of said leg portion.

3,744,484 4 5 6 10. An apparatus according to claim 1, including a 11. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said attached i for damping the rejtum of larger cushioned element is semi-circular and said first said heel portion and resihent means extending between said support and said lever for accelerating the return of said heel portion to said pad.

back plate is arcuate.

5 III 

1. An abdominal, muscle toning apparatus comprising a punching member, a pushing member, a conversely bent lever, said punching member being carried by the lower end of said lever and said pushing member being carried by the upper end of said lever, a rigid support and means for pivotally mounting said lever to said support, whereby pressure applied against said pushing member away from the user of said apparatus automatically forces said punching member toward said user to strike on or about his abdominal region, said lever comprising an L-shaped rod having a longer convex leg portion, a shorter concave foot portion and a heel portion joining said leg and foot portions.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, having a toe portion terminating said foot portion, and adjustable means for securing said punching member at a selected angle to said toe portion.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said punching member comprises a larger back plate, a larger cushioned element mounted on the front surface of said back plate, and a grip member secured to the rear surface of said back plate, a part of said adjustable means being carried by said grip member.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said adjustable means comprises a vertical line of lugs extending rearwardly from the front portion of said grip member, a handle extending from the top to the bottom of said grip member, a drilled hole disposed in the center of said handle, an arcuate slot disposed across said toe portion, a pin extending from one side of said toe portion, said pin being selectively engaged between a pair of said lugs, a bolt inserted through said slot and said hole and a nut cooperating with said bolt to secure said punching member at said selected angle.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, having a channel member, means for securing said channel member to a permanent fixture, and slidable means for mounting said support at selected heights on said channel member.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the front surface of said channel member is provided with a longitudinal slot along the upper portion thereof and a row of mutually spaced holes along the lower portion thereof.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support comprises a T-shaped member having a stem and a cross bar attached to the top of said stem, a pair of L-shaped braces secured to said cross bar, aligned holes disposed through the free ends of said braces, a drilled hole disposed at the apex of said leg portion, pivotal means mounting said lever to said braces, an element extending rearwardly from said cross bar and locking means disposed at the bottom of said stem.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said support is provided with a rearwardly protruding element at the top thereof and a locking member having at least one prong thereon hingedly attached to the bottom thereof, said element adapted to enter said longitudinal slot and ride within said channel, and said prong adapted to enter into at least one of said row of holes to anchor said support at a selected height relative to said channel member.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said pushing member comprises a smaller cushioned element mounted on the front surface of a smaller back plate, the rear surface of said smaller back plate being rigidly mounted to the top of said leg portion.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 1, including a pad attached to said support for damping the return of said heel portion and resilient means extending between said support and said lever for accelerating the return of said heel portion to said pad.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said larger cushioned element is semi-circular and said first back plate is arcuate. 